With our ever-increasing reliance on high-powered smartphones and other portable digital devices, the lowly battery is getting more and more attention. From charging stations at supermarkets to new battery technologies on the horizon, batteries are cool.
Supermarkets such as Whole Foods, clothing stores such as Urban Outfitters, and even some restaurants and ski resorts are installing cellphone charging stations from companies such as ChargeItSpot (www.chargeitspot.com). Often, the service is free to customers, with the establishment paying ChargeItSpot to help them cement customer loyalty.